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Feature: Getting my hands dirty at Glen Valley Organic Farm

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A freshly cured garlic, ready for the market. You can see I really got my hands dirty today.

This week I was privileged enough to spend the morning and early afternoon at Glen Valley Organic Farm out on the border of Abbostford. Glen Valley Organic Farm is 50 acre certified organic farm run as a co-operative. Currently, Jeremy and Chris are the two main farmers. You may have met them or Rob, an apprentice, at the market on Thursdays. They and their families live on the property. I arrived on the property at 7:30am — this is a very early start for a self-proclaimed night owl and was anxious to see what the day would have in store for me. [Read more…]

The Happier The Cow, The Tastier The Cheese.

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Little Qualicum Cheeseworks at the Canada Day Market 2010
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is a business that brings delicious, artisan cheese to the market every week. Based off of Morningstar Farm which is nestled by Mt. Arrowsmith on Vancouver Island, Little Qualicum makes yummy cheeses from happy cows. Clarke and Nancy Gourlay have been making cheese since 2001 after being inspired by the Swiss cheese they ate while they lived in Switzerland.
The cows from which these fantastic dairy products come from are from a small herd of Holstein, Ayrshire, Browne Swiss and Canadienne dairy cows. They practice responsible farming by using farming equipment as little as possible (the cows graze thus eliminating the need to harvest fields) and they use the cow’s manure and urine to fertilize the pastures. Little Qualicum sells the majority of their products within a 100 mile radius of the farm giving them a small carbon footprint. They are SPCA certified which ensures that their cows are happy and healthy – perfect for producing great milk!
I asked Little Qualicum manager, Susan Hirmer, what she enjoys most about selling cheese at the market and she simply replied, “The opportunity to meet friendly people who appreciate local food.” The business of cheese has been a success for Little Qualicum as I have seen droves of people come to their stall to sample bits of soft and hard cheeses. They have everything from Feta to Caerphilly to Rathtrevor.
Along with their stall at the market, Little Qualicum encourages the public to come and visit Morningstar Farm if they are in the area. They provide tours as well as a store where you can purchase products after you see how they are made.
If you would like more information on Little Qualicum Cheeseworks please visit their website or even better, visit them at the market as they are there every week until October.

Help Wanted

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Are you looking for part time work? Some of our vendors are looking for helpers:

Jane’s Honeybees is looking for someone to help at the stall at the market. Email Liz at liz@janeshoneybees.com

Thai Princess requires a driver with a van to pick up booth supplies from a location in East Van, drive to New West, and then after the market, help load up and drive back to East Van and drop off. Email Jeng at thaiprincess@shaw.ca

Welcome to our new vendors!

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The mix of vendors and products at the Royal City Farmers Market continues to evolve. We’re proud to welcome three new vendors to our Market:

Gelderman Farms

Gelderman Farms Ltd. is a family-owned pig farm located in the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford B.C. The Gelderman family takes pride in raising quality pork that is tasty and good for your family. Gelderman Farms is primarily focused on providing various cuts of pork from ham and pork chops to bacon but they also offer blueberries in season and fantastic compost for your garden.

Greendale Herb and Vine

Doug and Katy Lowe bring herbs in many formats – fresh, dried, in vinegars, in hand creams – as well as cheddar, honey comb, and garlic. Find them on Facebook!

Fire Ice Creations

One of a kind hand made glass jewelry and home decor items, using recycled glass. Custom pieces are available! Find them on the web at www.fireicecreations.com.

RCFM In The Record: Gardens highlighted

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Published in the Royal City Record on July 1, 2009

Gardens Highlighted: Unique balcony garden program will be on display at farmers’ market

By Theresa McManus

The Biggest Little Garden in Town will be making an appearance at the Royal City Farmers Market tomorrow, July 2.

Fraserside Community Services started the program three years ago to give local residents living in apartments or townhouses access to home-grown, fresh vegetables.

Members of the program receive a three-tiered cedar garden box container, soil, a variety of vegetable plants/seeds, tools and a handbook for free, but people not participating in the program or living outside New Westminster can buy the three-tiered containers that include a trellis.

“They are not actually for sale at the market,” said program coordinator Laurie Clarke. “It is to view them and take orders.”

While the free containers have been distributed to participants for the 2009 growing season, Fraserside is still selling the three-tiered cedar garden boxes to raise funds for the Biggest Little Garden in Town program.

People from as far away as Hawaii, Chicago and Los Angeles have inquired about how they would go about implementing similar programs and inquired about buying the three-tiered containers.

Fraserside is selling the containers for $168 ($150 plus tax). People will also receive a $20 tax receipt from Fraserside.

For more information or to buy a three-tiered container, call Fraserside at 604-522-3722 or Laurie Clarke at 604-512-6896.

The Royal City Farmers Market runs on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. in city hall’s Fourth Street parking lot, beside Friendship Gardens and Tipperary Park.

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